You are cordially invited to a Webinar on Technology-Facilitated Femicide in South Africa. Academia and General public interested in gender equality and digital rights are invited to attend.
Title: Digital Shadows, Deadly Realities: Unpacking Technology-Facilitated Femicide in South Africa.
Background:
South Africa continues to grapple with alarmingly high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. In recent years, the rapid proliferation of digital technologies and social media platforms, while offering avenues for connection and activism, has also created new and amplified spaces for the perpetration of violence against women. This includes, but is not limited to, cyber stalking, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online harassment escalating to physical violence, doxing, and the spread of misogynistic hate speech that normalises violence against women.
The link between online abuse and offline harm, including femicide, is becoming increasingly evident. Perpetrators often use digital tools to control, harass, and track their victims, creating a pervasive sense of fear and insecurity that can ultimately escalate to fatal violence. During Women's Month, it is imperative to address this evolving landscape of violence and equip individuals, communities, and policymakers with the knowledge and tools to combat technology-facilitated femicide.
Objectives:
- To raise critical awareness about the various forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and its devastating impact, including its link to femicide in South Africa.
- To explore the mechanisms through which digital platforms are exploited for perpetrating violence, and the psychological, social, and physical consequences for victims.
- To discuss the current legal frameworks and their effectiveness in addressing TFGBV in South Africa (e.g., Cybercrimes Act, Protection from Harassment Act).
- To highlight practical strategies for digital safety, online resilience, and responsible digital citizenship for women and girls.
- To foster a multi-stakeholder dialogue on collaborative efforts needed from government, tech companies, civil society, and communities to create safer digital spaces for women.
For more information, kindly contact Tendayi Garutsa.